British ambassador is suing Ashridge Business School

David O’Neill

A British ambassador is suing Ashridge Business School after she was allegedly described as ‘wobbly’ and ‘out of her depth’ during one of its three-day training courses.

National newspapers report that Amanda Tanfield is also taking legal action against the Foreign Office, which sent her on the course, and wants £50,000 in compensation.

The 51-year-old is quoted as saying that tutors’ remarks implied she was ‘antisocial, unstable, rude and incompetent’ and may have damaged her 24-year diplomatic career.

Mrs Tanfield, who was the government’s head of Iraq policy in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of the country by an international task forced including US and UK forces. She is now British ambassador to Eritrea in the Horn of Africa.

Ashridge Business School spokesman Chris Johnson said: “We are vigorously defending the action, which we consider to be without foundation.

“We have no further comment to make but we reserve our position.”

The Foreign Office said: “This matter is subject to ongoing litigation and it would not therefore be appropriate to comment at this time.”